The GSP at Fairglen is an enrichment program specially designed to develop critical, analytical, and creative problem solving skills. Our students develop a strong sense of civics by studying government, participating in debates and investigating currents events which leads to community service projects. Our students also work on real world projects designed for the student to solve problems creatively while adhering to strict pre determined criteria. Students in the Gifted program meet one day a week and meet all state and county requirements.
Fairlglen's GSP/FEEP has evolved and developed over the last 11 years. But, the very foundation this program was founded continues to be based both on research and best practices to best meet the unique needs of our students. Our program is centered around the two most respected models used in gifted education. They are Clark's Integrated and Renzuli/Hartman's Enrichment Triad Models.
Clark's Integrated Model
The Integrated Model, based on brain research, states that learning is an integrated process where the learning environment can be divided into five domains: Cognitive, Societal, Intuitive, Physical & Affective. When designing lessons these domains should be carefully mixed and matched to best activate learning that is both memorable and meaningful to the student.
Cognitive - Focus on higher level thinking skills. This can be summed up by asking how and why rather than who and what!!! Students, while learning all the basic information needed in a given unit, spend more time on elements that require, application, synthesis and evaluation in the completion of the final project.
Societal - Develop interest in civics and the students place in his or her community. (Current Events, Debates, Elections, Essays, Community Service, Relay for Life, Food Drives
Intuitive - Create opportunities for the student to solve unique problems with time built in to overcome barriers. (OM, Debate, Multi stage projects
Physical - Create opportunities for the student to express themselves physically and in ways other than traditional seat work. This can include projects such as: OM, Debate, Egg Destroyers, Speeches, TV production projects, Biographical Sketches.
Affective - The Affective domain is considered the emotional well being aspect of our class. Here we focus on "What's News With Yous" a time we share what’s going on in our lives or discussion on events. The affective domain also includes cooperation among leaders!!! time management, organization management, etc.
The Renzuli/Hartman Enrichment Triad Model
The Enrichment Triad Model puts the Integrated Model into practice. The main idea of this model is that in the end the student will produce and present a finished "final product."
These products can come in many forms from essays to fully developed "cities" to a fully produced & edited TV talk show. All final products are to be presented to an authentic audience.
To get to the final product The triad has three levels.
The first level or Level 1 are called Exploratory Activities. Here the student is introduced to new concepts and ideas. Once the student has a strong introduction to a new concept, next comes the Level 2 Skills phase.
Level 2 skills are all the information and techniques that a student must first learn to create a final product. Level 2 skills consist of direct teaching, guided practice and independent practice.
The end product of any unit consists of the level 3 Final Products. These final products are multi step projects that require solutions based on pre determined criteria. These projects require students to research, conceptualize, plan, initiate and present a final product to an authentic audience. This means that the final work will be presented to classmates, other classes, parents, the community or others based on the project created.
Projects we do!!!
Odyssey of the Mind - Long term problem solving
Tropicana 4h Public Speaking Contest
DOAR Essay Contest - Long form formal essay on American history
Cities & Civilizations - A look at the evolution of cities based on Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs.
Government - American History - Geopolitics
Museums - Students create museum displays on variety of historical subjects.
Debates: Presidential, Gov, Issue - Students debate a wide variety of issues using intensive research
Jr. Great Books - Discussion based on facts from text.
Movie Making Magic - Student created films presenting unique points of view on important information.
Science Car- A student created car powered by several forms of energy.
Egg Destroyers - Unique devices utilizing simple machines to break eggs.
Puppeteers - TV produced puppet shows teaching character traits.
Community Service - Food Drives, Relay For Life, Humane Society Helpers.
The GSP at Fairglen is an enrichment program specially designed to develop critical, analytical, and creative problem solving skills. Our students develop a strong sense of civics by studying government, participating in debates and investigating currents events which leads to community service projects. Our students also work on real world projects designed for the student to solve problems creatively while adhering to strict pre determined criteria. Students in the Gifted program meet one day a week and meet all state and county requirements.